17 lessons provide discussion questions and suggested ways of planning and relating the information to your students. Study the magnificent achievements of the Ancient Greeks in government, science, philosophy, arts, people, and their lifestyle. Activities give your students an in-depth study of the Ancient Greek civilization while integrating history into language arts.

Students will:

• be introduced to people and their way of life in an ancient civilization.

• develop an ability to research, record, and report factual information.

• examine an ancient civilization, and compare it to modern society.

• relate the effect one civilization has on another civilization.

To The Teacher

The ideas and activities in this unit have been grouped according to different topics pertaining to Ancient Greece. The information stories may be duplicated, mounted on a sturdy backing and laminated, or used on an overhead projector. Locate illustrations that pertain to Ancient Greece and use them as covers to make several reference books for student usage. Join the pages together using cerlox binding. Each story may also be mounted on a file folder and placed at individual centers. The stories may be used at a reading center or at a research center. Follow up activities may also be developed and used with the story information cards.

Introduction and Teacher Planning Information:

• Expectations and Teacher Notes

• Discussion Topics and Lesson Ideas and Teacher Input Suggestions

• Greek Glossary

• Student Tracking Sheet

• Teacher Evaluation Sheet

• Answer Key

Activities:

Review the “Discussion Topics and Lessons” prior to starting this curriculum. There are 17 days of lessons suggesting a way of planning and relating information to your students. 

Reading Information Stories:

• Reading Information #1: The Minoans

• Reading Information #2: The Mycenaeans

• Reading Information #3: The Dark Ages and The Archaic Period

• Reading Information #4: Ancient Greek Social Structure and Government

• Reading Information #5: The Spartans

• Reading Information #6: Farming in Ancient Greece

• Reading Information #7: A Greek Home

• Reading Information #8: Fashion in Ancient Greece

• Reading Information #9: Ancient Greek Family Life

• Reading Information #10: Going to School in Ancient Greece

• Reading Information #11: Slavery in Ancient Greece

• Reading Information #12: Twelve Ancient Greek Religions and Temples

• Reading Information #13: Ancient Greek and Architecture

• Reading Information #14: Ancient Greek Markets, Money and Trade

• Reading Information #15: Ancient Greek Travel by Land and Sea

• Reading Information #16: The Ancient Greek Army

• Reading Information #17: The Ancient Greek Navy

• Reading Information #18: The City of Athens

• Reading Information #19: Ancient Greek Entertainment

• Reading Information #20: Ancient Greek Theater

• Reading Information #21: Ancient Greek Athletics and Sports

Ancient Greek Art and Architecture Activities

1. Design a poster that advertises five different buildings. Label and explain why the building was important.

2. Greeks made large numbers of statues. Use modeling clay to create statues.

3. Research to find out how information was discovered about the Ancient Greeks. 

4. Research to find the importance of a man named "Sir Arthur Evans".

5. Greek pottery – Research the steps taken to make it and other questions and illustrate one.

6. Greek statues – Research to learn the materials used, how they were made and the names of the famous sculptures.

Ancient Greek People Activities

1. Choose one of the famous Greeks from the list below. Research to find out when and where he lived and his importance. Write a brief biography.

2. It was said that Greece was a mans world. Students are asked if they agree or disagree and to write an opinion piece with facts proving their answer.

3. Students will compete a chart comparing Ancient Greek women with modern day women.

4. Greek Clothing – Students will create a chart illustrating the clothing worn.

5. Research to find out who the following Spartans were in their social structure.

6. Research to find out the answers to the following questions on slavery in Greece.

7. Research Greek homes.

Ancient Greek Daily Life Activities

1. Ancient Greece made their living from farming. Answer True or False

2. Ancient Greeks mainly lived on a diet of bread and porridge. Research to learn other foods they ate.

3. The master of a Greek home did all the shopping at the "agora" for his family every day. Research to find out the answers to the six questions.

4. Spartan schooling emphasized physical fitness over academic subjects. Answer True or False

5. In Athens, education aimed to produce good citizens who could participate fully in the running of their state. Students will answer 8 questions.

6. Research to find out about the traditions that were practiced in Ancient Greece when a child was born into the family. Students will answer 8 questions.

Ancient Greek Entertainment Activities

1. Music and poetry played a very important part in the daily lives of the Ancient Greeks. Students will research to find answers to many questions including what “rhapsodies” are

2. The Ancient Greek men enjoyed having dinner parties with their male friends. Students will research to find answers to questions including what is a “symposium”

3. The beginnings of modern theater began with a countryside festival held in the honor of a Greek god. Students will research to learn more about these festivals and the gods honored.

4. Ancient Greek theaters were built all over the countryside in many states in Greece. Students will research to learn about the theaters and the people along with terms including "ekkyklema" and "orchestra".

5. The actors in a Greek play were always men. They performed in tragedies, comedies, and satyrs. Students will researched what the chorus did in the play, how the actors dressed and what the different colours and costumes and masks meant.

Ancient Greek Army Activities

1. Illustrate a Greek hoplite in full battle dress.

2. Research to find out the meaning of each Greek army terms below.

3. Research why it was an effective battle tactic to lay siege to the enemy. And research to find out how each weapon listed was used.

Ancient Greek Navy Activities

1. Research the three types of Navy ships.

2. Research the trireme ships.

Ancient Greek Battles Activities

1. Choose one of the famous Greek battles from the list and research it.

2. Research the life and campaigns of Alexander the Great and write a biography of this famous Greek.

Ancient Greek Religion Activities

1. Research to find out the name of the god that matches each description.

2. Greek people worshipped many gods and made offerings choose one good and research to find out interesting facts about one.

3. Research Greek temples to find out the meaning of the following words.

4. Research the Greek gods and goddesses. Match them to their symbols.

5. Research and learn about the many religious festivals in honor of their gods.

6. Research to answer questions on why Ancient Greek people were always trying to please the gods.

7. Research to learn and answer questions on an "oracle".

8. Research and answer questions on mystery cults.

9. Research and answer questions on the Underworld.

Ancient Greek Games

1. The First Olympics

2. Research Greek buildings to find out how they were used in the Olympics

3. Compare the Olympic Games today to the first Olympics

4. Research “The Legend of Pelops”

Ancient Greek Government Activities

1. Did it happen in Sparta or Athens?

2. Greek systems of government

3. Compare Athens and Sparta’s governments

Ancient Greek Word Study Activities

1. Alphabetical Order

2. Greek words and their meanings

3. Matching Synonyms

4. Making Compounds

5. Using the Greek alphabet

6. Words derived from Greek words

Ancient Greek Creative Writing Activities

1. Writing an Acrostic Poem

2. Rewrite a Greek Myth in your own words.

3. Epic Poetry

4. Writing a Greek Tale

5. Expressing Your Own Opinions

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